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Years ago when there still was a public API I wrote a super simple script that just listed movies in order by how much Netflix thought I'd like them. This was t

Years ago when there still was a public API I wrote a super simple script that just listed movies in order by how much Netflix thought I'd like them. This was the best Netflix interface I've used so far. While the predictions weren't super accurate they were accurate enough to quickly scan over it and find interesting stuff. They also we accurate enough to easily notice at what point in the list the was no reason to look further down. If I had spend some more time to substraction what I've already watched and maybe also make it also sortable by IMDb ratings it would have been perfect. Also no fing photos. Just give me the title and ratings, maybe just maybe the release year. At least on the overview. I believe Netflix moved to the current model because they don't care about you spending your time well and in addition need to fudge their catalog. It's ultimately wasting user's time. Before they had the new match percentage it regularly would suggest movies that they themselves predicted I'd hate. WTF?! At this point my favorite movie platform is mubi. Just 30 well selected movies. I can quickly tell what's new to their catalog and also if I should just close the app and do something else.

zerocrates 9y ago
I can only assume that a significant goal of the Netflix interface is hiding what they don't have and making it less obvious when things go away. Even basic parts of the UI like "My List" or "Continue watching" aren't reliably available in the same places. It is somewhat funny to see, for many years now, recommendation and ratings take such a heavy back seat when they were previously one of Netflix's most famous features.
mortenjorck 9y ago
That is something I still don't understand about the modern Netflix recommendation engine. Before the percentage system, it would literally recommend things to me that it predicted I'd give two stars. It's probably still recommending things in that range today, but I gave up consulting it.
- ajmurmann 9y ago
  HBO Go's interface has its issues, but it makes it relatively easy to see what's new this month or so. Well, I can tell usually it's not enough to justify staying subscribed. So I subscribe ~4-6 months a year watch what I want to see and then unsubscribe. I'm pretty certain I'd follow a similar pattern with Netflix if there isn't wasn't obfuscating their catalog.

zerocrates 9y ago

I can only assume that a significant goal of the Netflix interface is hiding what they don't have and making it less obvious when things go away. Even basic parts of the UI like "My List" or "Continue watching" aren't reliably available in the same places. It is somewhat funny to see, for many years now, recommendation and ratings take such a heavy back seat when they were previously one of Netflix's most famous features.

mortenjorck 9y ago

That is something I still don't understand about the modern Netflix recommendation engine. Before the percentage system, it would literally recommend things to me that it predicted I'd give two stars. It's probably still recommending things in that range today, but I gave up consulting it.

ajmurmann 9y ago
HBO Go's interface has its issues, but it makes it relatively easy to see what's new this month or so. Well, I can tell usually it's not enough to justify staying subscribed. So I subscribe ~4-6 months a year watch what I want to see and then unsubscribe. I'm pretty certain I'd follow a similar pattern with Netflix if there isn't wasn't obfuscating their catalog.